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Summer might be peak season for European travel, but it's not when you see the best weather. Throughout many parts of Europe, summer temperatures often sizzle in the high 80s and 90s, even as far north as Norway. September – when the crowds head home, the humidity begins to abate and the sun grows less fierce – usually offers pleasant weather across the continent.

Southern Europe/Mediterranean

Throughout the Mediterranean, summer is the time to flee cities en masse and make your way to the shore while humidity soars and temperatures shoot into the high 80s and beyond. Depending on what part of the month you visit, September might be an extension of summer or the slightest respite from the oppressive heat. The mainland remains hot, such as Athens, Greece, where daytime temperatures average in the mid-80s, while islands such as Sicily, Italy, with average temperatures in the high 70s and Mallorca, Spain, with averages in the low 70s, feature more pleasant weather.

Western Europe

In Western Europe, September still is considered peak season, with tourists and residents enjoying the last outdoor festival and activities before fall rain and gray skies set in in earnest in October. While temperatures can reach up to the mid-70s or down into the low 50s, the 60s are the norm. Depending on the year, you might encounter a heatwave or a downpour, so it's best to check the weather regularly before any September trips to the region. Fall showers are common but generally come in periods of several days of grayness and rain, unlike the short, humidity-driven summer bursts.

Northern Europe

In Lapland and the northern reaches of Northern Europe, winter already is well on its way by September. Snowfall typically doesn't begin until October but can arrive in the latter part of September. Temperatures range from the mid-40s to low 60s during the day and the mid-30s to low 50s at night. The southern regions of Northern European countries don't get as close to freezing temperatures late in the month. Cities along the Gulf of Bothnia best stave off the cold throughout the month, particularly in the evenings.

Central and Eastern Europe

Encompassing the area from Poland down through Austria, Hungary and Bulgaria, and east through the former Soviet bloc, Central and Eastern European countries do not have their weather tempered by the Atlantic or the Mediterranean, like much of Europe. September weather is decidedly autumnal in this region, with average daytime temperatures in the low to mid-60s and evenings in the 50s or mid-40s. Even in the Baltic region, whose northern latitude suggests early snows and low temperatures, September temperatures remain in the low 60s. At higher elevations throughout the region, however, temperatures can dip into the 40s and even 30s, particularly in the evenings later in the month.

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About the Author

Gabi Logan began writing food and travel articles in 2004. Logan's work has appeared in Boston-area online magazines, including "The Second Glass" and "The Savvy Bostonian," and in publications at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Italian language and culture from Smith College.

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